“Your highness, may I speak with you?” Chapado asked. Remtani frowned. “You’re as bad as the dragons. You only use titles if you want something. What is it?” “Nothing major. I wanted to ask if Crito could have the night of the wedding off so he could be my escort.” “Chapado, I told you he’s going to need all of us on duty then,” Crito insisted. “Actually, I don’t,” Remtani corrected. “My dad may be officiating and my mom is planning the party, but it won’t be as big of a wedding as usual, just the family and a few of the nobles who live here. There’s no need for that many extra guards. However, Crito is one of my better guards and there will be other times, you may want him as an escort when he does need to be on duty. “Since this is a smaller wedding, how about we try a compromise? You both saw Ann when she worked as muscle for Kritalla. She was so tiny, that no one noticed her. People thought she was a customer. Crito can be on duty, but posing as one of the guests. I’ve thought about trying this for a while. I’d like to see how it goes. You’ll need to stay sober. But you rarely drink anyhow. Your sword will be hidden with mine. Does this work for you, Chapado?” Chapado’s smiled. “It does.” “Good, now if you’ll excuse us, Crito, and I have details to discuss.” Chapado nodded. “Thank you.” She looked pleased. But Crito clearly wasn’t. “Sir, are you sure you don’t need me on duty?” He asked after she had left. “I said you will be on duty. Morina calls it undercover. This afternoon, once I’m done in court, you and I will go shopping to make sure you have something to wear.” He wrote something on a slip of parchment. “Sir, you can’t spend military funds on civilian dress.” “I’m not paying for it. You are.” “Sir, I don’t have that much extra coin. I have a baby on the way.” “Crito, you’re fine,” Remtani assured him and handed him the slip. Crito frowned. “What is this?” “I know you can read. You were the first to sign up for the reading program. Do we need Darkham to check your eyes?” “I can read the words. They don’t make sense.” “It’s a banker’s note requesting that much money from your account.” “I don’t have an account. I don’t have enough to need one.” “You have plenty. Uncle Tolin got tired of you refusing to pay for the work you do when you’re not scheduled. He opened an account in your name with the bank and we’ve been depositing the money into it every month.” He pulled out a book. “I know some of this is beyond your education. But this is what you have.” He pointed to a number. Crito frowned a moment and counted the digits. It was a higher number than he was used to. “I have that much zinc?” “You have that much gold,” Remtani corrected him. Crito shook his head. “There’s some mistake.” “Nope. This accounts for one day's work a week, every week for twenty-five years, plus interest.” “Interest?” “Basically the bank pays you for allowing them to hold your money. It’s a bit more complicated, but I don’t have time right now and you need to get some sleep. You’re scheduled tonight.” “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.” “Dismissed. I’ll come get you later.” “Thank you, Sir.” Crito saluted and left.